DE102004037257A1 - Mounting device for a sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an installation device (1) for a sensor on an outer surface of a component of a motor vehicle, comprising: a base body (2) for receiving the sensor; Retaining tabs (5) for fixing the sensor on the base body (2); a contoured ring (18) for receiving the base body (2) and for fastening the base body (2) to the component of the motor vehicle; Tabs (4) for fixing the base body (2) on the contour ring (18); and spring elements (3) for non-positively holding the base body (2) and contour ring (18) on the component of the motor vehicle, wherein the base body (2) has a first, rigid region and a second, elastic region, and that of the contour ring (18) an opening (20) of the respective component is provided.

Description

The The present invention relates to a mounting device for a Sensor on an outer surface of a Component of a motor vehicle.

At an outer surface of a Component of a motor vehicle, for example on a bumper, are usually Distance sensors, for example for distance measurements to Front man or parking operations, attached with different mounting devices. These are usually three Components required: a housing for the sensor, a contour ring, and a spring element. The installation housing forms the holder for the sensor. The angular position of the sensor in the component or bumper of the motor vehicle is through the contour ring allows this also forms the adaptation to the contour of the bumper. Through different bumper contours Thus many different contour rings are needed. The spring forms the Determination of the installation device in the bumper. Thus, a large number of parts for many Areas of application required.

An attachment according to the prior art describes DE 196 21 964 A1 as a device for location-variable attachment of a holder to a receiving part. Here, in the component or receiving part of the motor vehicle, a certain predetermined contour is necessary. In this a holder is used with a corresponding shape and fixed by another component, a specially designed spring element.

DE 196 26 291 A1 describes a mounting sleeve for ultrasonic transducer with self-locking attachment. This sleeve is inserted from the outside through the receiving part or the bumper of the motor vehicle in a corresponding opening and locked with retaining lugs on this. By inserting a sensor, the retaining lugs are additionally pressed outwards and secured. For different thicknesses of the receiving parts different mounting sleeve are required.

ADVANTAGES OF INVENTION

The inventive device Mounting device for a sensor having the feature of the independent claim the advantage that the holder of the sensor and the fixing or fixing is taken over in the component of the vehicle of only one component.

The Basic idea of the invention will be explained below.

The The invention is essentially based on the fact that the mounting device a contoured ring and a base body, wherein the main body of consists of two areas. A fixed area takes over the recording and fixation of the sensor in the body and the attachment to the contour ring, which in the component of Vehicle is introduced, and a second flexible or elastic Area fixes the mounting device in the component of the motor vehicle.

• – einen Grundkörper zur Aufnahme des Sensors;
• – Haltelaschen zur Festlegung des Sensors am Grundkörper;
• – einen Konturring zur Aufnahme des Grundkörpers und zum Befestigen des Grundkörpers an dem Bauteil des Kraftfahrzeugs;
• – Laschen zur Festlegung des Grundkörpers am Konturring; und
• – Federelemente zum kraftschlüssigen Halten des Grundkörpers und Konturrings am Bauteil des Kraftfahrzeugs,

und ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Grundkörper einen ersten, starren Bereich und einen zweiten, elastischen Bereich aufweist, und dass der Konturring an einer Öffnung des jeweiligen Bauteils vorgesehen ist. Aus dem Grundkörper mit zwei Bereichen ergibt sich eine vorteilhafte Reduzierung der Teilevielfalt und ein wirtschaftlicher Einbau. Der Konturring kann an jede Form des jeweiligen Bauteils angepasst sein, wobei der Grundkörper stets unverändert bleibt. Der Konturring kann sowohl Bestandteil des jeweiligen Bauteils sein, wodurch der Bereich von Bauteilen mit vorhandenem Konturring abgedeckt ist, als auch als ein eigenständiges Teil mit großem Anpassungsspektrum für unterschiedliche Bauteile ausgebildet sein. Hierzu sieht eine weitere bevorzugte Ausgestaltung vor, dass der Konturring von außen durch die Öffnung des jeweiligen Bauteils eingebracht ist.The mounting device according to the invention for a sensor on an outer surface of a component of a motor vehicle has the following:

• - A main body for receiving the sensor;
• - Retaining tabs for fixing the sensor on the body;
• - A contour ring for receiving the body and for securing the body to the component of the motor vehicle;
• - Tabs for fixing the body on the contour ring; and
• Spring elements for frictionally holding the base body and contour ring on the component of the motor vehicle,

and is characterized in that the base body has a first, rigid area and a second, elastic area, and that the contour ring is provided at an opening of the respective component. From the body with two areas results in an advantageous reduction in the variety of parts and economical installation. The contour ring can be adapted to any shape of the respective component, the basic body always remains unchanged. The contour ring can be both part of the respective component, whereby the range of components is covered with existing contour ring, as well as be designed as a separate part with a large adaptation spectrum for different components. For this purpose, a further preferred embodiment provides that the contour ring is introduced from the outside through the opening of the respective component.

Of the first, rigid area of the main body is with a sensor holder and retaining tabs for holding the sensor and designed for insertion and fixing in the contour ring with the tabs, wherein the second elastic region comprises the spring elements and integrally formed with the first, rigid region via connecting portions is. This one-piece of the basic body allows thus advantageously saving an additional spring element and the installation work for this.

It is appropriate that the tabs fe are formed relative to the base body, wherein for their spring travel to the longitudinal axis of the main body out recesses are introduced below them in the body. As a result, in the rigid region of the basic body, the rigid tabs can also be made resilient to a suitable extent, so that additional elastic elements can be dispensed with for this purpose.

The Tabs have theirs connected to the connecting portion End opposite End bevels with a first bevel angle and the connecting portion facing edges with respective Undercuts on, with these edges radially from the longitudinal axis of the basic body way, with the contour ring at one end a covenant and to the end portions of the tabs corresponding openings in his section opposite the collar having. Thus, the main body by means of the tabs which engage in corresponding openings of the contour ring, be easily determined advantageous. The openings of the contour ring can on be arranged in different positions, which is advantageous different layers of the body with the sensor incorporated therein but with the same basic body different components of a motor vehicle are made possible. Furthermore, it is by a suitable design of the oblique angle possible, the stiffness of different materials for the engagement of the tabs advantageous to adapt.

In In a preferred embodiment, the spring elements have an end face and a back on which a cavity for receiving the spring travel of the front side form, with one end of the back, each with a tab and the body connected is. Thus, an advantageous simple realization of second, elastic region of the body possible, creating a component reduction is reached.

In a further preferred embodiment has the end face of the spring element at its free end a reinforcing tab to the uniform concern the end face of the respective spring element, wherein these on formed inside the component of the motor vehicle bent into the cavity is. As a result, the end face of the spring element is advantageous evenly on the Component from the inside and can so advantageously the mounting device adapt to different installation situations.

It it is preferred that the reinforcing tab on the underside of a slope with a second bevel angle has, since this on the one hand, the concern of the component advantageous is further improved and on the other hand, the application of the body the contour ring through the slope of reinforcing tab advantageous is facilitated.

The Spring elements and tabs are in relation to the retaining tabs 90 ° around the Longitudinal axis of the the body arranged twisted, resulting in advantageous compact design of the the body results.

In an embodiment is the main body with the first, rigid area and the second, elastic area from a common plastic material by injection molding produced. This allows an advantageous cost-effective Layout.

In another embodiment is the main body with the first, rigid area and with the second, elastic Range of a two-component material by injection molding produced. Here is an advantageous design of the different Range also possible in an injection molding tool.

Consequently results with the mounting device according to the invention advantageous, that the component diversity through integration of components in the body is reduced and present components, such as the contour ring, can still be used.

The Holder of the sensor and the determination in the component of a motor vehicle is taken over by only one part. All installation geometries (different bumper thickness, angle of attack, etc.) can be used with be realized only a part. A defined seat of the installation device in the axial direction is ensured because the spring is in with the main body a position on the contour ring allows the determination. Due to smaller number of components compared with the prior art is advantageously less Handling effort necessary. Furthermore a defined assembly process is possible.

advantageous Embodiments and developments of the invention are the dependent claims and the Description with reference to the drawings removable.

DRAWINGS

The Invention will be described below with reference to the figures in the drawing specified embodiment explained in more detail.

It shows:

1 a side view of a Grundkör pers an installation device according to the invention;

2 a view in the direction A of the main body of the mounting device according to 1 ;

3 a longitudinal sectional view of the body after 1 turned by 90 degrees;

4 an enlarged sectional view of the detail X from 3 ;

5 an enlarged sectional view of the detail Y from 3 ; and

6 a side view in a sectional view of an embodiment of the mounting device according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

distance sensors on exterior surfaces of motor vehicles are for example designed as known ultrasonic sensors. This type of sensor is known and will not be explained further. Your attachment becomes common in the bumpers in front and at the rear of the vehicle, other locations are also possible.

These sensors are attached by means of a device to the respective component of a motor vehicle. 1 shows a side view of an embodiment of a base body 2 an installation device according to the invention 1 (please refer 6 ) for a sensor, which is intended for installation in a component of a motor vehicle.

The main body 2 is circular in this embodiment and has a first region which is rigid. This first region has an inner circular sensor receptacle 22 ( 2 ) between two retaining tabs attached to it 5 on which at the back of the main body 2 are arranged opposite each other in extension of its outer surface to the rear. The sensor (not shown), as shown in 1 can be seen, from left to right in the body 2 along its longitudinal axis 25 introduced into this substantially rigid area and locked with the retaining tabs in a known manner. Here, the main body forms 2 with its back a stop 21 for a stop collar of the sensor.

The first rigid area of the body 2 comes with the outside of the sensor mount 22 ( 2 ) in a contour ring 18 (see 6 ). To be fixed to the contour ring 18 ( 6 ) on the component of the motor vehicle, the base body 2 in this embodiment, tabs 4 on, lying opposite each other on the outer surface of the main body 2 are arranged. In addition to its rigid area, the body has 2 an elastic region with two spring elements 3 , which each above the tabs 4 are attached.

The spring elements 3 point with the tabs 4 to the front of the body 2 and are in terms of the back retaining tabs 5 to these at 90 ° about the longitudinal axis 25 of the basic body 2 arranged rotated.

2 shows a view of the body 2 in the direction of A according to 1 , It can be seen that the spring elements 3 radially from the center of the body 2 extend to the outside. The length of the radial extent of the spring elements 3 In this example, it is approximately the measure of the radius of the body 2 on.

In 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the body after 1 shown, wherein the main body 2 around its longitudinal axis 25 rotated by 90 °.

The spring element 3 has an end face 9 and a back 10 on, with the lower end of the front side 9 bent backwards and a reinforcing strap 6 forms. The shape of the cross section of the spring element 3 is similar in its upper section to an elliptical section. The lower section of the back 10 of the spring element 3 is over a connecting section 12 with the tab 4 and the body 2 connected, as shown in the enlarged sectional view of this detail Y in 5 is shown and will be described in more detail.

The tab 4 runs parallel to the longitudinal axis 25 of the basic body 2 and is with this over the connecting section 12 and the back 10 of the spring element 3 connect. Between the tab 4 and the body 2 extends from the connection section 12 to the forward facing end of the tab 4 a recess 16 as shown in the enlarged sectional view of this detail X in FIG 4 will be shown.

In 4 is the front end of the tab 4 which is the connecting section 12 opposite, shown and has a slope with a first bevel angle 8th which is approximately 25 ° in this embodiment. The thickness of the slope increases towards the rear, forming a short flattening 23 passes, which are parallel to the longitudinal axis 25 of the basic body 2 runs.

The flattening 23 forms with its back end an edge, which is an undercut 14 with an undercut angle 15 in this example, preferably in the range of approximately 5 °.

The tab 4 is with its back end in the connecting section 12 at the base body 2 resiliently mounted to a certain extent. Their travel becomes the longitudinal axis 25 of the basic body 2 through the recess 16 allows.

The backside 10 of the spring element 3 is also elastic with the connecting portion 12 connected, wherein the spring element 3 , this in 5 is shown enlarged, is resilient, and between the front side 9 and the back 10 a cavity 11 is arranged. The front side 9 can in this cavity 11 deflect. In this embodiment, the front side 9 arranged so that they are at a distance in front of the front end of the main body 2 located. With this distance and the material of this spring element 3 can be the spring action or the travel influence, so that. Also different strong spring rates are possible.

The reinforcing tab 6 is back in the cavity 11 bent over, with a parallels to the longitudinal axis 25 of the basic body 2 a second bevel angle 13 with a slope 7 forms. The reinforcing tab 6 serves for the even up and concerns of the front 9 of the spring element 3 in the installed state, which in the 6 is shown. The slope 7 has a further advantageous function to facilitate the installation of the body 2 in or over the contour ring 18 ,

In 6 is an exemplary installation state of the mounting device according to the invention 1 shown in a component of a motor vehicle. This component is here for example a bumper 17 , which has an installation opening 20 in which of the in the 6 right outside a contour ring 18 with one on the bumper 17 outside adjacent waistband 24 is introduced.

This contour ring 18 For example, is cylindrical in shape and has in its rear inside in the bumper 17 lying section openings 19 on, which in shape and dimension to the end portions of the tabs 4 correspond. The contour ring 18 is known and has an inner diameter which corresponds to the outer diameter of the main body 2 the installation device 1 corresponds.

When mounting is from the inside of the bumper 17 fro the basic body 2 in the contour ring 18 pushed in, with the tabs 4 first in the direction of the longitudinal axis 25 of the basic body 2 be pressed because their slopes through the wall of the contour ring 18 is applied with a force. The main body 2 will now continue in the direction of its longitudinal axis 25 in the contour ring 18 pushed in until the end sections of the tabs 4 into the corresponding openings 19 in the wall of the contour ring 18 engage.

At the same time the spring elements 3 by concern of their faces 9 on the inside of the bumper 17 compressed so that each of the front page 9 and the reinforcing tab 6 depending on the contour of the inside of the bumper 17 to the back 10 to be moved towards and into the cavity 11 be moved.

The reinforcing tab 6 allows this concern of the respective front page 9 evenly.

By squeezing the front side 9 and the back 10 These are deformed and stretched due to their elasticity, whereby an axial force in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal axis 25 of the basic body 2 is created, passing over the undercut edges of the openings 19 latched end portions of the tabs the contour ring 18 in the direction of his and the longitudinal axis 25 of the basic body 2 in the bumper 17 into acting. This leaves the contour ring 18 and the body applied from behind 2 in relation to the bumper 17 firmly attached. Twisting can be done by known means such as locking lug and the like between contour ring 18 and the bumper 17 be prevented.

The contour ring 18 Can be different to the outer contour of the bumper 17 be adjusted. This makes it possible with different contour rings 18 but same basic bodies 2 cover a wide range of applications. The adaptation of the basic body 2 on the inside of the respective bumper take over the spring elements 3 , which adapt elastically to the various shapes and always the required axial holding force for the mounting device 1 produce.

A sensor will now after mounting the mounting device 1 in the bumper 17 of the motor vehicle from behind into the main body 2 introduced as described above, so that its front in a known manner with the outer surface of the bumper 17 or the contour ring 18 concludes. This is easy to imagine, the sensor is not shown.

The relative position of the sensor to the bumper 17 can be advantageous simply by an appropriate design of the contour ring 18 enable.

The slopes 7 the reinforcing tabs 6 additionally facilitate the application of the body 2 on the contour ring 18 ,

The main body 2 , the spring elements 3 , the tabs 4 and the retaining tabs 5 are made in one piece as an injection molded part of a suitable plastic material in a preferred embodiment.

The The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above limited, but on diverse Modifiable manner.

It is conceivable that the tabs 4 can be formed as inserts of metal with a sharp edge, which at the contour ring 18 make a firm connection.

Likewise, the contour ring 18 over the main body 2 overlap and have noses, which in the body 2 intervention.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that the contour ring 18 already part of a component of the motor vehicle.

The contour ring 18 and the main body 2 may also have other cross sections, for example polygonal cross sections and the like. Also, in each case a plurality of spring elements 3 , Tabs 4 and holding tabs 5 be arranged on the base body.

In one embodiment of the body 2 can the spring elements 3 and / or tabs 4 also consist of a material having a different spring rate to the material of the body, in a so-called two-component material design, which means that the first, rigid area of the body 2 is made of a rigid material, wherein the second, elastic region has an elastic material component which is connected to the main body 2 is injected.

Claims (11)

Mounting device ( 1 ) for a sensor on an outer surface of a component of a motor vehicle, comprising: - a basic body ( 2 ) for receiving the sensor; - retaining tabs ( 5 ) for fixing the sensor to the base body ( 2 ); - a contour ring ( 18 ) for receiving the basic body ( 2 ) and for fastening the basic body ( 2 ) on the component of the motor vehicle; - tabs ( 4 ) for determining the basic body ( 2 ) on the contour ring ( 18 ); and spring elements ( 3 ) for frictionally holding the base body ( 2 ) and contour rings ( 18 ) on the component of the motor vehicle, characterized in that the basic body ( 2 ) has a first, rigid region and a second, elastic region, and that the contour ring ( 18 ) at an opening ( 20 ) of the respective component is provided. Mounting device ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the contour ring ( 18 ) from the outside into the opening ( 20 ) of the respective component is introduced. Mounting device ( 1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first, rigid region of the basic body ( 2 ) with a sensor receptacle ( 22 ) and retaining tabs ( 5 ) for receiving the sensor and for introducing and fixing in the contour ring ( 18 ) with the tabs ( 4 ), wherein the second, elastic region of the spring elements ( 3 ) and with the first, rigid region via connecting sections ( 12 ) is formed integrally connected. Mounting device ( 1 ) according to claim 1 to 3, characterized in that the tabs ( 4 ) resiliently with respect to the main body ( 2 ) are formed, wherein for their spring travel to the longitudinal axis ( 25 ) of the basic body ( 2 ) recesses ( 16 ) below them in the main body ( 2 ) are introduced. Mounting device ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the tabs ( 4 ) at her with the connecting portion ( 12 ) connected end opposite bevels with a first bevel angle ( 8th ) and to the connection section ( 12 ) facing edges with respective undercuts ( 14 ), wherein these edges are radially from the longitudinal axis ( 25 ) of the basic body ( 2 ), whereby the contour ring ( 18 ) at one end a collar ( 24 ) and to the end portions of the tabs ( 4 ) corresponding openings ( 19 ) in its portion opposite the collar. Mounting device ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the spring elements ( 3 ) an end face ( 9 ) and a back ( 10 ) having a cavity ( 11 ) for receiving the travel of the end face ( 9 ), wherein in each case one end of the rear side ( 10 ) each with a tab ( 4 ) and the basic body ( 2 ) is connect. Mounting device ( 1 ) according to claim 6, characterized in that the end face ( 9 ) of the spring element ( 3 ) at its free end a reinforcing tab ( 6 ) for the uniform concern of the front side ( 9 ) of the respective spring element ( 3 ), wherein these on the inside of the component of the motor vehicle in the cavity ( 11 ) bent out is forming. Mounting device ( 1 ) according to claim 7, characterized in that the reinforcing tab ( 6 ) on its underside a slope ( 7 ) with a second bevel angle ( 13 ) having. Mounting device ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the spring elements ( 3 ) and tabs ( 4 ) with respect to the retaining tabs ( 5 ) by 90 ° about the longitudinal axis ( 25 ) of the basic body ( 2 ) are arranged twisted. Mounting device ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the basic body ( 2 ) is made with the first, rigid region and the second, elastic region of a common plastic material by injection molding. Mounting device ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the basic body ( 2 ) is manufactured with the first, rigid region and with the second, elastic region of a two-component material by injection molding.